At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Orbiter Processing Facility-3, technicians have completed the removal of the three main engines and now will replace the suspect turbopump in engine 1 and then reinstall the engines. The turbopump developed an issue earlier this week during a torque check.
Main landing gear brake installation is scheduled for today. During the weekend, teams will complete the thermal protection system payload bay door plug installation and carrier panel installations.
At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the STS-133 astronauts will spend the day meeting with their ascent and entry flight directors and conducting altitude chamber training.
Discovery is to launch on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The official targeted launch date remains Sept. 16, but a change request has been submitted to move the flight to Oct. 29, with STS-134 moving to February 2011. The request is under consideration and an announcement is expected at the first of July.